Chapter 5 ~ Broken Hearts
The red streaks of sunshine began to eat away at the velvet curtain of night. Soon, the luminous streaks of light began to inundate the horizon, and the sun began to rise with its fiery mane.
The girl sat on the ledge of the balcony, her hair softly coaxed by the warm summer breeze. You could see tears slowly fall down her cheeks. The wind dried them, carrying her pain away, but not soothing her soul. Her eyelids were closed, wanting to shut out the joyfulness of the sun. However, just as the golden rays began to reflect off her milky skin, her eyes flung open, revealing the most intriguing emerald eyes. They were filled with pain and remorse. She looked like a tortured soul, sitting on the tallest, loneliest mountain peak. The wind brushed past her, her white nightgown faltering with the breeze.
"It's been almost a week, and I haven't stopped crying. I must stop. She's never coming back, and I've got to accept that." The girl thought. She continued to sit on the balcony, the memories coming back to her, wrapping her in a warm blanket. "No more moping around." She thought, and a small smile brightened her pained features.
Suddenly, there was a knock on her door. There had been a knock every day for that past week, but Hitomi had been too numb to care. Nadya's death had been a hard token to bear. However, this was not the case today. Time had finally taken the pain away, or at least toned it down to a moderate ache.
"Come in." she called, unaware that she was only in her very transparent nightgown.
"Wow, you actually answered this time!" she head Merle's voice from the room.
"Yeah. Did you come all those other times?" Hitomi asked.
"No… it was mostly Lord Van that was concerned for your well-being." Merle answered honestly.
"I wasn't going to jump out the window again." Hitomi said with a hint of amusement. The king had cared? No, he probably wanted his bodyguard. She had agreed to it after all. A deal was a deal.
Merle laughed. "Would you like to come down for breakfast? Or would you like something to be brought here?" she asked.
"I'll come down. It's enough moping around for me." Hitomi said and got off the balcony's ledge.
"That's good."
"When was the funeral?" Hitomi asked seriously.
"We tried to delay it as long as possible, so you could attend, but it was two days ago. You were not coming out of your room, and we couldn't wait any longer." Merle said seriously.
"It's ok. I couldn't have sat through it anyway." Hitomi turned abruptly around, and walked to her bathroom.
Ten minutes later, she emerged from it completely dressed, her worn cloak hanging about her, like a curtain of mystery.
"Why do you keep on hanging on to that old thing?" Merle asked making a face at her appearance.
"It's a reminder that even harshest times pass." Hitomi answered simply. She then walked out of the door, letting Merle stare after her, open-mouthed.
"Hey, wait up!" Merle called and ran after her. "You really need to learn some manners." She mumbled sourly as she caught up with Hitomi.
"No, it's just the elevated society's way to show that they're better than the rest. I don't tend to depend on many people. I'm sorry if that shocked you." Hitomi told her coldly.
"Wow, I shall treasure this moment forever. I'll probably never hear another apology from you again." Merle said sarcastically.
"You better." Hitomi answered slowly.
Merle led her down complicated corridors, and finally they entered a huge dining room. The room was filled with the palace nobility, and for the first time in her life, Hitomi felt self-conscious. However, she pushed those thoughts aside and asked Merle.
"Where do I sit?"
"Just pick any seat. It really doesn't matter." The cat answered her.
Hitomi picked the first spot available to her. It looked outside onto the gardens, and she was grateful for the beautiful panorama. As she began to quietly eat, Hitomi heard a "hmph" of indignation coming from a fat baroness in a purple dress.
Hitomi looked up, her green eyes completely impassive to the very rude gesture. She exchanged a swift glance with the woman, and then concentrated on her food. The baroness, however, was not to be ignored. She leaned to her right, and whispered a few words in her companion's ear. They both began to giggle. Hitomi continued eating.
"So tell me Harry, ever since do we eat with the commoners. Wasn't it your job as Minister of Internal Affairs to keep them at bay?" she asked in a high-pitched tone.
Hitomi continued eating.
"Lorraine, I can't do everything." The man whom she identified as Harry told her with a vicious smile on his lips.
"Well at least keep them out of the palace. We can't have them intrude on everything!" she said sweetly.
"I'll do what I can." He answered.
Hitomi disregarded the very stupid attack to her person. However, not everyone was as impassive as she. A man next to her, with long blond hair, slammed his fists on the table. Everyone looked up shocked.
"Speaking of manners. I think my breakfast just about died along with your conversation." He said and got up angrily.
The baroness stood up in protest, but he just walked away. Hitomi looked after him, amused.
"Lots of moody people here today." She muttered.
All of a sudden a door behind her opened, and Hitomi saw everyone stand up. She looked behind her, to see the king of Fanelia unceremoniously enter the room. His hair was rustled, and he looked like he didn't catch a wink the whole night. Hitomi sighed, feeling some compassion for the poor guy. However, the ache in her heart made her eyes look steely and cold.
Van indeed had a horrible night. The villagers had revolted, and he had spend the last three days striking a deal with the Farmer's Guild. Things were indeed heating up, as Fanelia was reaching the peak of her economic crisis. Seeing all the nobility looking up at him with expectant eyes made him lose whatever appetite he had. However, amongst them, he noticed the black cloak and green eyes of the girl. Hitomi… the name popped in his head. She had been mourning for her friend for over a week, and Van hadn't seen much of her. No further attempts had been made on his life, and he was grateful for that. However, things had quickly took a turn for the worse. He sat down at the head of the table with a thump, and a grouchy attitude telling them he didn't want to discuss it.
"M'Lord?" an old bearded man asked.
"What is Tokra?" Van asked, his voice dangerously low.
"How is the situation?" he asked.
"Under control." Van answered, looking down at his plate.
"Then may I suggest you get some rest?" Tokra asked him.
"No. There's too much to do." Van argued. He hadn't slept in a while, but his body had reached a state of pure exhaustion. He didn't need sleep, lucidity invaded his dreams, making him awfully hard to deal with for the past days. "Not my fault the farmers wanted the impossible." He thought as he stuffed a piece of bread in his mouth.
Hitomi finished her breakfast, and disgusted by the somber silence that engulfed the room, got up quietly and left.
"It figures she'd have no manners." She heard the woman in the purple dress sneer.
Hitomi looked at her, a mocking look, and quietly walked out.
The day was young, and the heat had barely risen. Hitomi stretched, yawned and started out towards the terrace. She planned on visiting the market place.
"Why does such a pretty girl like you take the abuse of that wench?" she heard a masculine voice behind her.
Hitomi spun around, only to find herself lost in the sea of blue pertaining to the eyes of the blond stranger who so rudely silenced the purple lady.
"People like her don't bother me." Hitomi answered.
"They should. No pretty lady should have to take that from anyone." He said and walked closer.
Hitomi took a step back. The man seemed friendly enough, but past experience taught Hitomi not to believe in appearances. There was a weird glimmer in his eye that she didn't like.
"Well I'm not a lady." She answered quietly, turned around and walked away.
He ran to catch up to her.
"Who says so?" he asked.
"Society." Hitomi answered.
"By the way, I never caught your name." He said skillfully evading the subject oh Hitomi's ladyship.
Hitomi moved away.
"That's because I never gave it to you." She said.
"Not much of a conversationalist are you?" he asked.
"Did you ever notice that you ask too many questions?" Hitomi answered his question with a question.
"Only because of my incessant curiosity." He laughed.
"Sometimes it's better not to be curious." She observed.
"You're really a pessimist you know?" he said with a knowing smile.
"And you're too curious." Hitomi said seriously.
"My name's… Rafael." He said reaching out his hand.
"Hitomi." She answered, not doing anything.
After leaving his hand to hang in the air for a few minutes, Rafael took it back.
"So, Hitomi, do you want to take a walk through the city? I never got the chance to see Fanelia, and I shall be leaving for Lowenia soon." He said.
"I am sorry. You shall have to find someone else for your guide. More pressing matters await me." She told him, and left him behind.
There was something about him that inspired distrust to Hitomi. She might have been overreacting, but deep down, her gut told her to stay away from the blond man. She was sure he was the messenger Van had dreaded. One look at him, and Hitomi wanted to run and hide. Something wasn't right. Something wasn't right. No one would have believed Hitomi if she would have told them. She needed proof before she made any accusations. However, a more pressing duty awaited her. Pushing all thoughts of Rafael aside, Hitomi headed out into the crowd, losing herself in it.
The marketplace was crowded that morning, and Hitomi struggled to make her way to the flower shop. Her hands slowly working the crowd, by the time Hitomi reached the flower shop, she had a small fortune. Smiling happily to herself, she went in and bought a bunch of white roses. They were Nadya's favorite flowers, and she planned on planting them on her grave. Hitomi looked at the pure flowers sadly.
"Pure, like her heart." She thought. A strangled cry escaped her throat, and Hitomi quickly made her way out of the shop after paying. The tears threatening to spill down her cheeks, Hitomi raced past the orphanage, quickly leaving the money, and ran up the grassy hill behind it. When she couldn't run any more, she collapsed against the trunk of an old oak, breathing heavily. She carefully set the roses down. Ragged breaths tore her body, as tears glistered in her eyes.
"It's not fair darnit! It's not fair! It's not FAIR!" she screamed, not knowing how to deal with the pain. Her throat constricted, Hitomi hit her fists on the soft ground, pounding the grass. "Why… why.." she whispered.
"Because." A soft voice echoed behind her.
Hitomi turned around, and out of the shadows came Van's silhouette. The wind brushed past them, giving the young king an air of wisdom passed his years. Hitomi looked at him transfigured. His chocolate eyes were burning with a pain so well displayed, Hitomi wondered why she never saw it before.
"It's still not fair." She whispered.
"No one said it was." He muttered and came to sit down beside her.
"She didn't deserve to die."
"No one does." He said.
"Some do."
"Most don't."
Hitomi said nothing more. She just leaned on the old oak, and stared into nothingness. Memories were flooding her, and she let the painful movie play in her head. The king also said nothing, haunted by his own ghosts. For a long time, they just sat there, leaning against the tree, two kindred souls, sharing the tranquillity of a moment.
Hours later, Hitomi snapped back to reality, as she felt the soft rustle of the grass. It sounded like thousands of tiny little bells calling her name. She sighed, and looked up. The tree loomed over them protectively, standing tall, as a protector for them both.
Hitomi felt something heavy on her right shoulder, and looked over, only to be met by rebellious locks of raven hair. The king was fast asleep on her shoulder. She smiled sadly, thinking of how tired he must be. She estimated that it was a bit past noon. She had spent her whole morning in reverie. Slowly, trying not to wake the sleeping Van, Hitomi shifted her weight and tried to slide away from him. However, Van's hands unconsciously circled her waist, pinning her in place. Hitomi growled annoyed. Even when he was sleeping he was controlling. She made another attempt to try to move away from him, one that only got him more attached to her. Van was now holding her tight, his head on her neck, and his locks of hair tickling her mercilessly.
"What did I get myself into…" Hitomi snarled mentally. She had to admit, it was a new and pleasant sensation him holding her like that, but she wanted to go. She needed to go visit Nadya's grave, and Van wasn't helping. Dreading what she had to do, Hitomi gently pushed him off of her. However, Van's body was much more heavier and he just ended up bouncing back on her. This time, Hitomi managed to free one of her arms. She gently tapped him on the shoulder.
Van felt a gentle tap, and he felt himself coming to.
"The smell of pure freshness, and that softness, god how well it fits in my arms…" he thought half conscious that he was holding Hitomi. "I wish I could wake up like this every morning." He thought.
"Umm.. your majesty?" he heard a melodic voice sound beside him.
"And that voice…"
"I sort of need to move, and you're not helping." Hitomi said as she felt Van awaken.
Suddenly, he jolted awake, all his senses alert.
"What happened?" Van asked sleepily.
Hitomi suppressed a girly giggle. He looked so adorably sweet with his hair all tangled and his half asleep face.
"You fell asleep your majesty." She said politely.
"Why did you wake me?" he asked, his commanding tone coming back as he awakened more.
"You were sleeping on me." Hitomi said and blushed.
Van woke up completely upon hearing her words. "Sorry… I didn't mean to…" he stumbled, blushing a crimson red.
"Don't worry. You looked tired. I shant hold you responsible for anything, Your Grace." She said smiling.
"Stop it with the formal talk. You never respected me before, what suddenly changed your mind." He said, teasing her once again.
"Well, we are in public, and I do have to be respectful no?" she bit back.
"I don't see any public around, do you? And who cares. Call me Van. Lady Hitomi, I would like you to call me Van." He said.
"What's with you and your formal talk?" Hitomi asked.
"Nothing, just a taste of your own medicine." He said, a playful glimmer in his eye.
Hitomi said nothing, but accepted the temporary defeat. She stood up, took her roses and began to walk away.
"Where are you going?" he called after her.
"To visit an old friend." She answered.
Van stood up, and ran after her. When he caught up, all playful mood was shattered, and there was seriousness in his voice.
"Mind if I tag along?" he asked.
"If you're not busy… sure. She was one of your loyal subjects, so why not." Hitomi said impassively.
They reached the graveyard, and Van stood and watched silently as Hitomi planted the roses and spoke a few words of goodbye to her friend. As the breeze slowly cooled them off, Hitomi turned around, and faced him, with glossy green eyes.
"A final goodbye, finally uttered." She said.
"I'm sure she heard it." He stated.
"She always complained about me being late. But I guess better late than never." Hitomi sighed.
"I'm sure she was very proud of you." Van muttered.
"Maybe." Hitomi said cryptically.
"Let's go, I hate graveyards." Van said and followed her down the paved alley.
"Me too." Hitomi agreed.
"Lunch?" he asked.
"Ok, I know this great place by the market." Hitomi said.
Together, they walked away, as friends, not as enemies, burying the lance of war, along with their loved ones, for a while. Everyone knows that ghosts do come back to haunt you. But for now, they stayed buried within their two young minds.
~~~~
The corridor was dark, and the torch gave out, as the cat slowly passed by it. She crept through the halls, staying in the shadows, avoiding any sort of light.
A week had passed since Grolash had fallen to the Solarian army. A week since her sister and she had become guards of Lord Folken. A week since they had had no peace. Her sister had been imprisoned and taught respect for the most part of the week, while she had been attending training lessons. Now that the king knew what they were capable of, he pushed them to their limits. Eriya had collapsed every day from sheer exhaustion. However, this was not tonight. She planned on taking matters into her own hands first.
Of the two sisters, she had always been regarded as the shy quiet easily controllable one. No one except Naria knew the real Eriya.
"Let him think I'm just an easy kitty. I'll show him differently." She thought, as she crept through the halls.
With her sister on a "special assignment" now was the perfect time for Eriya to put her plan in action. It was tonight that they gained their freedom, and the freedom of their people.
She reached a large black door, opened it, and slowly crept inside.
"Tonight, I get rid of you, once and for all." She whispered.
Unsheathing the dagger from her boot, Eriya walked closer to the large two-post bed. The shadow in there shifted, but did not wake. She plunged her knife deep into the flesh, killing the man sleeping there. To her surprise, no blood sprung out, no scream was heard. Nothing.
"So, you finally show your fangs, do you not?" she heard a mocking voice from a corner.
"Folken!" Eriya breathed. The very being whom she killed. Alive? Impossible. But then again, he was a sorcerer, wasn't he?
"Yes, it's me. You do not think I would be foolish enough to sleep in my own bed while you tried to kill me no?" the stratego said angrily coming out of the darkness.
"I.. never tried to kill you." Eriya said stammering. She was afraid of what was going to happen.
"At least live up to your actions." He said coming out of the shadows completely.
"How did you know I was going to kill you?" she asked.
"I knew." He said with a smile. "You were too eager to help me with everything." Folken told her.
"You jerk!" she spat and turned around, trying to leave the room.
In a second, Folken had her pinned against the wall, his weight squeezing the life out of her. He breathed heavily down her neck. A cold and menacing breath.
"Eriya, Eriya, Eriya, don't you know you must pay a price for your actions?" he asked her mockingly.
"I feel no remorse for what I did." She told him.
"Really? Are you REALLY sure?" he asked her.
Eriya didn't answer. Instead, she just looked away, blushing. She couldn't help but admire his strong and muscular body. Deep inside her heart, she did feel remorse. He never treated them like less then they were. If it weren't for the fact that he conquered their country, she could…
"Lord Folken, I…" she began.
He slowly caressed her cheek, forcing her to stare into his eyes. His burning chocolate eyes. Naria was surprised to find such tender caress in them. Such yearning, such gentleness. Suddenly, Folken's mouth came down on hers, in a soft yet demanding kiss. Eriya surprised herself, at the eagerness of her response. She let him kiss her, and felt her hands slowly move up and tangle in his bluish hair. A soft moan escaped her lips.
"You are forgiven, but you must pay the price." Folken slowly whispered in her ear, while planting kisses down the column of her neck.
"I might just HAVE to pay it." Eriya whispered back, kissing him hungrily.
"I'm sure you will."
Folken opened a secret door behind them, leading them to another room.
~~~~
Back in Fanelia, Hitomi and Van were enjoying a quiet lunch. None of them had uttered a word ever since they left the graveyard, and Hitomi was quietly enjoying the silence. "There's nothing like the silence." She thought. Through her years of suffering, she had learned that silence was the best and most trustworthy ally one could have. Silence could not betray anyone, just like it couldn't criticize a person. Silence was nothing, silence was void, yet it was what had kept Hitomi sane through the period of her adjustment. At first, her morals about stealing had been so strong, she had suffered through her every theft. Her conscience conflicting with her heart, she had been torn between two realities, not knowing which one to choose. But the fact that she had to survive, and had to get away from the pain, so she could one day stop was what kept her going. What made her excel at the thing which she now enjoyed doing. Hitomi hated to admit it, but over the years, she began to enjoy her darker side, her secret. She relished in the idea that she knew who everyone was, but no one knew who she was. It was what made her feel superior, it was what made her want to continue to steal. Even if she never kept the goods for herself, she continued stealing. It was an addiction. Now that it was in her blood, she never wanted to stop. Even when Nadya had begged her to stop, she never did. Always hiding behind the excuse of "who will help the orphans?". Well, who would help her?
"I don't need any help. Not from them. They cast me out. They rejected me. They gave me to him." Hitomi thought angrily. For years she had hated her parents. Her true parents. The ones who had entrusted her to that monster. She shuddered, remembering Ulin.
*flashback*
"Hitomi? Where are you Hitomi?" she heard his raspy old voice echoing in the hall. It was peaceful, warm and calm. Not what it had been a few days ago, when he had yelled at her for breaking his favorite dish.
"Yes papa?" she answered from her room. A girl of six, wearing a light blue dress stood up from a chair and ran to greet her father. Her eyes were a shade greener, radiating an innocence and happiness characteristic of a child. Sandy hair, down to her waist hung in careless locks around her.
"Where are you Hitomi?" he called out again. "Papa's got a present for you!" he said again.
With this new fact revealed, little Hitomi bounced down the hall, in joyful steps.
"Here I am papa!" she called slowly opening the heavy wooden door leading to his office. "I'm so glad you're back. I'm sorry I broke the dish. I didn't mean to, really. It was an accident!" she told him.
"It's all forgiven now, come give your papa a hug!" he said rising from the armchair in which he had briefly settled.
Hitomi ran to him, a look of pure joy crossing her face.
"Oh papa, I'm so glad you are not mad!" she cried as she gave the old man a hearty hug.
"So am I, you little wench!" he said, his voice turning ice-cold, and his eyes eyeing her, bloodshot. Hitomi shrieked in fear, as she tried to pull away. She was wrong to thing he could change. He never did.
Grabbing her by her long hair, Ulin pulled her back, and made her kneel before him. A sinister look crossing his face.
"So, you're sorry now, you little wench?" he asked.
"Yes papa, I'm sorry. Ireallydidn'tmeantobreakit!!!! It was an accident!" Hitomi breathed really fast, tears falling down her cheeks.
"Oh yeah? Well, accidents happen. Accidents such as these!" he said reaching for a pair of scissors, and violently shearing her beautiful hair. Hitomi screamed, and fought, but he was 45, and she was only 6. When he was finished, he pushed her against a cabinet.
"That's what you get for being naughty!" Ulin smiled viciously.
"I hate you! I hate you! You old crow! I hate you so much! If momma was still alive, she'd show you!" Hitomi screamed through forceful sobs.
"Don't you EVER mention her!" Ulin yelled, and hit her with the back of his hand. Hitomi however, was prepared for this, and dodged, her white teeth sinking into his hand and drawing blood. The man yelled, and tried to shake her off, without success.
"You little animal! You don't belong in a house! You belong in a zoo!" he yelled when he finally shook her off. His hand was bleeding and Hitomi looked like a mad apparition waiting to charge again. Before she could do that though, he knocked her out, with one single blow.
"Hiroki!" he yelled.
A servant in chains came through the door. He had large burns all over his body, and was wearing a white cloak and a collar, like a dog.
"Yes, master?" he asked bowing.
"Take this savage animal to the dungeons. She will begin her training immediately! I am through with her." Ulin spat angrily, his hand still bleeding.
"But sir…" Hiroki protested.
"Are you questioning me?" Ulin turned to face him with a sadistic smile.
A stormy look crossed the servant's face. "No sire." He said. Gently, he picked up the little girl, and carried her out of the room.
Through cloudy eyes, young Hitomi could see his tear-streaked face.
"I am sorry… my…I have failed you." The man whispered.
Her small hand reached out to touch his wet face.
"Don't cry. I'll be ok." She whispered and fell asleep in his embrace.
*end flashback*
"Are you ok?" Van asked her concerned. During the last couple of minutes, he had seen her expression change constantly. The pendant she was wearing was also glowing a dangerous glow.
"Huh? What?" Hitomi asked passing a hand through her hair.
"Are you ok? You don't look too well." Van told her.
"No, I'm fine." She said. "Never long again…" She scanned the crowd.
"What is it? What do you see?" Van asked.
"Nothing. I just had the feeling we were being watched. I wouldn't want another attack on your life now would I?" Hitomi asked with a crooked half-smile.
"No. Especially since I'm going to help you avenge Nadya's death." Van told her seriously.
"Well, then I must take my job a little more seriously."
"A service for a service." Van sighed. He then stood up. "Come on, I don't have all day. We must make preparations. We are leaving for Lowenia tomorrow." He told her.
"Still the good obedient doggy, listening to your advisors now?" she asked disgust evident in her voice.
"My decisions are not to be questioned by a commoner. You do your job, I'll do mine." Van bit.
"Oo, you finally show your fangs." Hitomi laughed, taunting him.
"You better watch out. I heard they sting." Van told her.
Hitomi scoffed and followed him, not before taking away his money pouch. The urge had finally been too great. He would pay for his insults with a bit of his money. "You know nothing about this commoner." She thought and followed him through the crowd.
The red eyes, and the shadow, following them accordingly.
*Author's Note*
Sorry for the long delay. Skool was evil. I had to write another chapter, and personally I think this one sucks. Please leave a review tho. I might ammend it later on. However, I'm sick, I'm tired, and my head hurts. Please tell me what was wrong with this. Lol, I know for sure it sucks. Aaaaa… gomen! I didn't mean to make this story sucky! Please tell me what was wrong. Eheh. Oh yah, and what's gonna happen next? It will get better! I promise!!!!!!!! Review for now tho… (oh yeah, I just added the last part in. For those that complained that this wasn't going anywhere, well, now you know a little more about Hitomi's past. Review it next chapter or something. I hope you like my lil piece of extra info. Have fun. I hope this will be enough for the next 3 weeks! Eheh. Dunn worry! I'll try to get out the next chapter faster. Thanks a lot for all your support. I love your comments, as always. J Oh yeah, sorry for the grammar errors. I'm tired. But I will edit this story once it's done, not to worry. I will fix all the mistakes ok?